Use this page to share your experiences with the differentiated writing strategies (Cartoon/Comic Strips, Newspaper Article, Brochure, Rubric, Wiki) that were presented on February 25, 2009.
Rodney's Poem
Writing/Application Task Differentiation Ideas

Content (what we teach & want students to learn)
  • Match writing theme to interest of student and readiness of student (i.e. 8th grader reading on 12th grade level who loves medieval history reads high school level text in this genre)
  • Pre assess to determine where students are to determine how to mix content levels

Process (activity to make sense of material)
  • Have students use interactive notebooks/journals to reflect on information provided
  • Have students use graphic organizers to document learning
  • Adjust question for written response based on readiness…low level to high level
  • Have students peer review/edit others writing

Product (helps students rethink, use and extend what they learn)
  • Use unique writing formats (advertisement, autobiography, cartoon…)
  • Have students maintain a portfolio of written application tasks for reference
  • Provide choices for application task that are different and address the interest of the students (i.e. extension menus, see fcpsteach.org under Gifted and Talented)

  • Allow students to work independently, with partners, or a group when writing product based on readiness, interest, or learning profile

Ideas for Differentiating Writing Styles and Genres

Advertisement Dialogue/Script E-mail Announcement/Flyer

Theme Song Magazine Article Lists BCR/ECR

Commercial Jingle Photo Essay (story in picture form) Contract

Autobiography Predictions Logos Sport Commentating

Biography Profiles (like on internet social networking sites) Wikis

Book Review Use sitcom story lines to spark writing ideas Blog

Calendars/Planners Newspaper Article Poem Directions/Map

Cartoon Journal/Diary Debates Summary

Comic Strip Epitaphs Book jackets Brochures

Bumper stickers Editorial Speech Song Lyrics























Adapted from Differentiated Instructional Strategies for Writing in the Content Areas, Chapman & King 2003.